Certificate in Public Interest Law

To earn a Certificate in Public Interest Law, a student must complete the 86 credit hours required for the Juris Doctor degree and satisfy all JD requirements. 

Within the course work required for the JD, a student must complete at least 15 credit hours from the approved list of public interest law courses and complete the Service in Public Interest Law requirement, as listed below.

An applicant must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Certificate courses. If a student takes more than 15 hours of courses from the approved list, all grades earned in those courses will be factored into the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for the Certificate.  

Previously taught courses, courses offered in other DePaul Colleges, and new courses and seminars that may be added to the curriculum may qualify for the Certificate with approval.

Students may apply for only one Certificate. 

For more information, contact Certificate Director for Public Interest Law, Shaye Loughlin.

Foundations of Public Interest Law 

Students may take the remainder of their courses from the following:

Legal Aid

Criminal Law

Civil Rights & Public Policy

Service in Public Interest Law

Students must satisfy both of the following experiences:

1. One semester in a public service-oriented clinic (Asylum & Immigration, Advanced Asylum & Immigration, Civil Litigation & Health Law, Criminal Appeals, Advanced Criminal Appeals, Croak Community Legal Clinics), field clinic (Civil Rights or Family Law), or extern program (approved placement) and
2. 50 hours of service through the Pro Bono Community Service Initiative.

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